Member-state led initiative, under the Co-Chairs of the Group of Friends of Human Security

22 June 2026 | United Nations Headquarters, New York

Organized by the Permanent Missions of Costa Rica, Japan and Senegal to the United Nations with support of the UN Human Security Unit

The Human Security Award is a new initiative of the Co-Chairs of the Group of Friends of Human Security—the Permanent Missions of Costa Rica, Japan and Senegal to the United Nations—with the support of the United Nations Human Security Unit.

The Award recognizes outstanding United Nations programmes that have successfully translated the human security approach into tangible improvements in people’s lives. It celebrates initiatives that address interconnected risks and vulnerabilities through integrated, people-centred and preventive solutions that protect dignity, strengthen resilience and contribute to sustainable development and lasting peace.

Human security is an approach that focuses on the safety, wellbeing and dignity of individuals and communities. It recognizes that today’s challenges—from climate change and displacement to food insecurity, health emergencies and economic instability—often reinforce one another, deepening vulnerabilities and undermining development progress. Human security seeks to address these interconnected risks through coordinated action that protects and empowers people while strengthening the resilience of communities and institutions.

The inaugural Human Security Award is being launched at a time when the world faces an unprecedented convergence of challenges. As risks become increasingly interconnected, there is growing recognition that effective responses must be equally integrated, prevention-oriented and human-centred. The programmes recognized through the Award demonstrate how the human security approach can deliver practical solutions that reduce vulnerability, strengthen resilience and help prevent crises before they occur.

The 2026 Human Security Award Ceremony will bring together Member States, United Nations entities and partners to recognize these achievements and showcase innovative approaches that are delivering results on the ground. By highlighting successful models and lessons learned, the Award seeks to advance broader efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals and build a more resilient, inclusive and secure future for all.

Event Agenda

Moderated by Mr. Maher Nasser, Director of the Outreach Division, Department of Global Communications, United Nations

Welcome Remarks by H.E. Mr. Kazuyuki Yamazaki, Permanent Representative of Japan to the United Nations (Co-Chairs of the Group of Friends)

Keynote statement by H.E. Mr. Alexander De Croo, Administrator, UNDP (virtual)

Keynote statement by H.E. Ms. Catherine Russell, Executive Director, UNICEF

Guest remarks by a high-level representative of the Government of Japan

Awarding Ceremony for “Human Security Awards 2026”

• Introduction by the co-Chairs of the Group of Friends
• Announcement of awardees and handover of trophies to the awardees

Roundtable discussion on the awarded programmes by the representatives of their implementing agencies, followed by interactive dialogue with Member States

Closing Remarks by a Co-Chair of the Group of Friends of Human Security

A reception will follow in the Sputnik Lobby of the United Nations Secretariat

The Co-Chairs of the Group of Friends of Human Security selected six programmes that demonstrate the value of the human security approach across diverse contexts. These programmes stand out for their human-centered focus on vulnerable populations, integrated responses to interconnected risks, context-specific design, and combined protection and empowerment strategies. They also highlight strong collaboration among UN entities, governments and partners, and deliver tangible results that strengthen people’s survival, livelihoods and dignity.

Together, they show how the human security approach can drive meaningful and sustainable impact.

Selected programmes:

• Ecuador: Capacities for Peace, Security, and Violence Reduction in Ecuador
• Ghana: Fostering Reforestation, Environmental Sustainability and Tourism in the Okyeman Area (FOREST Okyeman): Accelerating the SDGs through a multi-stakeholder, community-based approach to sustainable livelihoods and wellbeing
• Nepal: Anticipatory Flood Response in Eastern Nepal
• Pacific Islands: Pacific Climate Change Migration and Human Security (PCCMHS) Programme (Phase I and II)
• Senegal: Enhancing human security in priority municipalities in Senegal border regions with the security, climate change and migration nexus
• Syria: Implementing area-based return support as a catalytic process, for resilient recovery, human security, and durable solutions in the multifaceted crisis of Syria (*Note: This programme is part of a larger UNTFHS initiative, read more here)